MCLA earns regular season MASCAC crown, Hosts Bridgewater Wednesday
Bridgewater, MA- The MCLA Women's Soccer program tied Bridgewater State 1-1 in double overtime this afternoon in Bridgewater. The draw earned MCLA (10-2-5 overall, 4-0-3 MASCAC) the regular season MASCAC title and the number one seed in the upcoming conference championships. Brianna Bresett scored the lone goal for MCLA who battled back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to eventually earn the title.
The championship is the first for Head Coach Deb Raber during her eleven year tenure. It is also the programs' first title in since 1994. MCLA will open the MASCAC playoffs at home on Wednesday against Bridgewater at 1pm at Shewcraft Field.
MCLA had a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 25th minute as they were awarded a penalty kick. However, freshman midfielder Ashlee Scofield (Averill Park, N.Y.) pushed the attempt wide left to keep the game scoreless.
The Bears were able to take advantage just two minutes later as junior midfielder Carrie Robitaille (Ludlow, MA) knocked home a rebound of an Amber LaPorte (New Hartford, Conn.) shot.
MCLA tied the score at 1-1 in the 49th minute when Bresett (Adams, MA) was able to knock in a rebound of her own shot.
The Trailblazers had the best opportunity to come up with the golden goal in the first overtime as Bresett hit the crossbar in the 92nd minute and senior forward Jess Tietgens (Stamford, Vt.) knocked the rebound wide.
Senior goaltender Kayla Grover (Haverhill, Mass.) made 12 saves for the Bears who were outshot in the game, 21-18. Junior Jen Wehner (Cooperstown, N.Y.) turned aside nine shots between the pipes for MCLA.